Officials in Canada, U.S. monitoring ‘network’ of other suspects in Via train terror plot: reports

Canada terror plot: Officials on both sides of the border monitoring a network of suspects, according to reports

One of the suspects accused of plotting an attack on a passenger train struck a defiant tone Tuesday in court, while the other suspect’s lawyer said his client was in a state of “disbelief.”

Their first court appearances took place amid speculation over whether other terror-related arrests could be coming and against the backdrop of a debate in the House of Commons over new anti-terrorism legislation.

The RCMP-led team expects to make more arrests in the alleged terrorist plot. Meanwhile, the CBC is reporting that police and intelligence agencies on both sides of the border were monitoring a “broader network” of suspects beyond the pair arrested on Monday.

A U.S. security official who declined to be named and had been briefed on the investigation told Postmedia News that by the time Monday’s arrests were made, “things were generally winding down” but didn’t discount the possibility of additional arrests.

Appearing in a Montreal courtroom Tuesday dressed in a black and blue winter coat with running shoes, suspect Chiheb, 30, who was arrested the day before at a McDonald’s, refused to be represented by a lawyer.

He had been flown to Toronto on Monday but was taken back to Montreal on a technicality.

Folding his hands together and leaning on a metal rail inside the prisoner’s dock, he told Quebec Court Judge Pierre Labelle “all the conclusions that have been made, I can describe them as conclusions that have been made from facts and things said that are nothing but appearances.”

“We can’t make these conclusions because we are not in a backwards state,” he said in French.

Labelle pointed out that the court was nowhere close to the stage where it would hear arguments over the facts of the case. The judge ordered Esseghaier to remain in detention for up to six days. It is expected that Esseghaier will be transferred back to Toronto where he will be tried.

The other suspect, Raed Jaser, 35, appeared briefly in a Toronto courtroom, dressed in a dark dress shirt and wearing a black skullcap.

A publication ban was imposed on proceedings.

Jaser’s lawyer, John Norris, told reporters later that his client was “in a state of shock and disbelief” and planned to defend himself “vigorously” against the charges. Jaser has spent 20 years in Canada and has deep roots in the country, Norris said.

The lawyer questioned the timing of the arrests, noting that it came as the House was debating new anti-terrorism legislation. Bill S-7 would increase law enforcement powers to stop terrorist activities and make it a crime to leave Canada to commit terrorist acts.

Jaser’s father, Mohammed, who attended the proceedings with other family members, said little as he was surrounded by reporters.

“Of course I am supporting my son, of course,” he said. “Let the police do their job.”

The RCMP said in a news conference Monday that the pair plotted to derail a Via Rail passenger train.

The U.S. security official has said that one method discussed was to detonate a bomb along the tracks of a Canada-U.S. rail line.

A spokesman with the New York Police Department confirmed Tuesday the agency was kept in the loop on the investigation but declined to confirm reports that the rail line targeted went through the city.

Via Rail said Tuesday it is reviewing its security procedures.

Police officials have said the suspects received “direction and guidance” from al-Qaida elements in Iran, but said there was no suggestion of state sponsorship of the plan.

Iran’s foreign minister said Tuesday the claim of any link was “ridiculous.”

“If the news that you are announcing is true, this is the most hilarious thing I’ve heard in my 64 years,” the ISNA news agency reported Ali Akbar Salehi as saying. “We hope Canadian officials show a little wisdom and pay attention to the world’s public opinion and intelligence.”

RCMP officials have said the investigation began in August 2012. Why investigators chose to make the arrests on Monday is unclear but RCMP have said there was no imminent threat.

Even if investigators believe they have probable cause to charge someone, they may hold off making an arrest in the hopes of collecting further intelligence and see if others might be involved, the U.S. security official said.

“If we can allow that situation to flesh itself out more we will,” but only if investigators believe they have a “controlled case” — meaning the public is not in any danger, the official said.

Neither of the accused are Canadian citizens. Esseghaier, a PhD student at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, is from Tunisia, a law enforcement official has said. Tunisia’s ambassador Riadh Essid confirmed the connection Tuesday and said he understood Esseghaier to be a “brilliant student” who had done research on cancer.

Jaser is from the United Arab Emirates, according to Hussein Hamdani, a Muslim community activist who attended a private RCMP de-briefing for leaders in the Muslim community on Monday. But the UAE ambassador to Canada, Mohammed Saif Helal Al Shehhi, said Tuesday he didn’t believe either suspect to be an Emirati national or passport holder.

Both men are charged with conspiracy to interfere with transport facilities and conspiracy to murder between April 1, 2012 and Sept. 25, 2012.

Esseghaier faces an additional three counts, including participating in the activities of a terrorist group between Sept. 25, 2012 and Feb. 14, 2013, and instructing a person to conduct activity for a terrorist group between Sept. 7, 2012 and Dec. 20, 2012.

Jaser faces one other count, namely participating in the activities of a terrorist group between April 1, 2012 and Sept. 25, 2012.

If convicted, they face possible life sentences.

Arab ambassadors attending an event at Ottawa’s Carleton University on Tuesday said the arrests and alleged terror plot caught them by surprise.

Raja Khouri, president of the Canadian Arab Institute, said he hopes there isn’t a broader network, particularly not one involving more members of the Canadian Arab and Muslim communities.

Khouri said the fact it was an imam who first raised concerns about an alleged plot is a positive sign, and should serve as an example for all members of the communities.

“We would like to think that the Canadian Arab and Muslim communities are well-integrated, loyal citizens who do not subscribe to extremism,” he said.

With reporting from the National Post, Montreal Gazette, and Douglas Quan, Lee Berthiaume, Mike De Souza and Jordan Press of Postmedia News